Aston Villa (A) 4/1: Build-Up & Match Thread

[Banjo]

I go into most games expecting to lose at the moment. I don't think that's unreasonable given our results this season. I'd be pleasantly surprised to come away with anything better than a draw this evening, unless Cunha has a spectacularly good start.

 

[The Bear]

This is going to be a tough game as they've improved under Emery. I'd be happy with any points.

Hopefully it isn't Sa who's injured as he's been a key player in the last couple of games. I think we could cope with Neves missing for a few, particularly with so called "free hits" coming up, but I'm not sure Sarkic is the same level we need in goal.

 

[Deano]

to play devils advocate, they're clearly a better team than we are

Not really relevant though, as if we say "oh well, mid table team X are obviously a better team than we are" for the next 21 games we will get relegated.

There's not really much between any of the teams from 8th down. Some of them might be better but they're all beatable.

 

[Carsy]

This is going to be a tough game as they've improved under Emery. I'd be happy with any points.

Hopefully it isn't Sa who's injured as he's been a key player in the last couple of games. I think we could cope with Neves missing for a few, particularly with so called "free hits" coming up, but I'm not sure Sarkic is the same level we need in goal.

Apparently Podence and Costa injured

 

[malta mick]

Is the game televised ?
Stuck at airport ready for flight to Portugal in the morning.

 

[Tony Towner]

Is the game televised ?
Stuck at airport ready for flight to Portugal in the morning.

Perhaps you could look at the link which people have been kind enough post on at least 3 of the different occasions you've asked that question?

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

No

 

[The Bear]

Apparently Podence and Costa injured

Podence will be missed, but we can cope with those. Maybe play RAN wide left or just play Hwang there and Traore on the right.

 

[malta mick]

Perhaps you could look at the link which people have been kind enough post on at least 3 of the different occasions you've asked that question?

I don't recall asking in recent times but even so the answers would not necessarily be the same.

 

[AndyWolves]

Not really relevant though, as if we say "oh well, mid table team X are obviously a better team than we are" for the next 21 games we will get relegated.

There's not really much between any of the teams from 8th down. Some of them might be better but they're all beatable.

It's not as arbitrary as that though, having watched us and villa play it's clear who the better team are.

I really, really hope we win, but I know it'll be very hard for us.

 

[Johnny75]

It's not as arbitrary as that though, having watched us and villa play it's clear who the better team are.

I really, really hope we win, but I know it'll be very hard for us.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1608364606061166593

 

[Tony Towner]

It's not as arbitrary as that though, having watched us and villa play it's clear who the better team are.

I really, really hope we win, but I know it'll be very hard for us.

Depends on who plays. Take Luiz and McGinn out of that side and they are much weaker

 

[NicholasG1973]

Apparently Podence and Costa injured

Good news - no idea how either are getting game time.

Surely - surely - Guedes can’t be any worse than Podence under a new manager? He played with Messi at Barcelona, for fucks sake?

Can he really be as shit as he’s looked under Lage?

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Guedes looked appalling before we signed him so yes he can (he's never played for Barcelona in his con job of a career).

He has played under Lopetegui, he was beyond dreadful against Gillingham and was awful as sub at Everton.

 

[YoungWolf]

i don’t think Julen is having him at all. I’ve tried to give him the benefit of the doubt for as long as possible but against Gillingham he lost me completely, was embarrassing

 

[Dire Wolf]

I hope Cunha plays and plays well, I've just changed my Fantasy team name to 'A Cunha Matata'...

 

[Tony Towner]

Think I'd be going with a narrow front 3 of Cunha Raul and Hwang

 

[Lycan]

Watched Villa against Spurs the other day and out of possession they were basically playing a back 6 (wingers outside the full backs) with 2 narrow midfielders and 2 narrow strikers. Crowded out the middle, picked them off in wide areas and broke fast. Considering how hard we've found it to break teams down this season I can't see us scoring many against a team set up like that but if we can keep it tight at our end it could end up being a bit of a scrappy game with few chances. Before the WC I'd say that we were guaranteed to lose a game like that but we've got a much better chance now.

 

[Lycan]

Think I'd be going with a narrow front 3 of Cunha Raul and Hwang

That's what I was thinking as well (if the Podence & Costa rumours are true). Think Lope might play Adama though with Cunha through the middle.

 

[Jinky]

Apparently Podence and Costa injured

Obviously I don’t want any of our players to be injured, but if it’s the two above then that could well be a blessing in disguise because it forces him to start with Cunha and possibly RAN in a more advanced position or Guedes/Adama.

I do wonder if Julen will be tempted to play Raul with Cunha & Hwang buzzing in behind/off him.

Edit; FFS Tony.